Investigation: Individuals with Ties to Russian Intelligence Prepare Moscow's Claim Against Baltic States

An international journalistic investigation published Monday by Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, with the participation of Re:Baltica and Delfi.ee, has found that Russia's claim against the Baltic states at the International Court of Justice is being prepared by the Moscow-based law firm Monastyrsky, Zyuba, Stepanov & Partners. The firm has involved so-called historians with connections to intelligence agencies.

The investigation identified Nikolai Mezhevich and Vladimir Simindey as assistants to the lawyers, who are known to collaborate closely with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), spread anti-Baltic propaganda, and distort regional history. Lawyers from the Russian Foreign Ministry began preparing the claim no later than last summer, gathering arguments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Since then, Lithuania, along with the other Baltic states, has received five diplomatic notes from the Kremlin. The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the Baltic states, particularly Latvia, of increasing pressure on ethnic Russians, alleging that "state-sponsored Russophobia has spread rapidly." Baltic governments have repeatedly denied accusations of discrimination.

Lithuania's Foreign Ministry stated that Russia continues its smear campaign in various forms, attempting to spread false information and accuse Lithuania and other countries of violating international obligations. Estonia described Russia's plans to go to the International Court of Justice as part of a disinformation campaign. The Baltic states have also rejected other Moscow accusations, such as claims of helping Ukraine attack Russian energy facilities.

Analysts note that Russia has long used propaganda targeting Russian-speakers in the Baltic states to influence public opinion and foster division.